Representative Sample Of Workers Research Articles

Santé dentaire et facteurs associés dans un service de santé au travail du Nord (France)

Few data are available concerning the dental health of adults in France. This study was designed to describe dental status, oral health behaviour and factors associated with caries among workers followed by an occupational health service in Northern France. A representative sample of workers was selected between May and July 2006. Data were collected by occupational health physicians using a questionnaire completed during a face-to-face interview and a dental examination. After descriptive analysis of the variables, two groups were defined according to the degree of caries as assessed by the Significant Caries Index. Factors associated with the degree of caries were investigated using logistic regression adjusted to age. 420 workers with a mean age of 34.6(±10.4) years were included. The mean DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) score and the mean number of decayed teeth were 8.9 (± 6.5) and 1.3 (±2.8), respectively. Three independent factors associated with high caries rates were identified: level of education less than Baccalaureate (ORa = 1.85; p < 0.05), regular consumption of sweet snacks and/or sweet drinks (ORa = 2.01; p < 0.05) and a last dental visit motivated by pain or a reason other than preventive care (ORa = 1.89; p < 0.05). This study showed a high need for care and oral health education in this population of workers. More oral health education programmes should be set up in the adult working population by occupational health services.

Education and earnings in urban West Africa

Using a series of comparable labor force surveys in urban West Africa, we estimate the private returns to education among representative samples of workers in seven economic capitals (Abidjan, Bamako, Cotonou, Dakar, Lome, Niamey and Ouagadougou). The data allow us to provide a unique cross-country comparison using rigorously the same variables and methodology for each country. We tackle the issues of endogenous sector allocation (public, formal private and informal sectors) and endogeneity of the education variable in the earnings functions. We find that the returns to schooling are most often enhanced once an endogenous education variable is accounted for. This effect holds particularly true in the informal sector. In most West African cities of our sample, the public sector gives more value to education, followed by the formal private sector and then the informal sector. We also shed light on convex returns to education in all the cities and sectors, including in informal activity. More generally, a major contribution of this paper is to provide evidence of significant effects of education on individual earnings in the informal sectors of the West African cities, even at high levels of schooling.

Exposition au stress psychosocial chez les salariés des Pays de la Loire en 2002

An epidemiological surveillance system of work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb (MSDs) was implemented in 2002 in the Pays de la Loire region to assess the prevalence of the MSDs and their biomechanical and psychosocial risk factors in the working population. We will report here only the results concerning the exposure to psychosocial stress in the work environment. According to the Karasek "demand-autonomy" model, high psychological work demands may increase risk of ill health, particularly if there is a low level of decision latitude for the employees and low social support by the hierarchy or colleagues.In 2002, 68 out a total of 400 occupational physicians volunteered to participate in the surveillance program and included 1 495 workers (895 men, 600 women) representative of the region's workforce. Work history and work environment were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire before the compulsory annual visit of occupational physicians. Exposure to psychosocial stress at work was assessed with the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) developed by Karasek. The three scales of decision latitude, social support and psychological demands were calculated using Karasek's recommendations.The mean scores of psychological demands, decision latitude and social support were 69.3 +/- 12.7; 22.3 +/- 3.2; 24.0 +/- 3.5, respectively. No differences were observed according to gender and age. A third of the workers were exposed to high psychological demands at work and most of them (61%) had little decision latitude to cope with work constraints. About 28% of workers suffered from a lack of social support from their colleagues or supervisors. Overall, about 17% of workers were exposed to a situation of "Job strain" (ie a combination of a high level of psychological demands and a low level of decision latitude) and 7% were exposed to a situation of "Job strain" with social isolation ("Job strain" with low social support). The situations of "Job strain", associated or not with a low level of social support, were particularly frequent in industries with taylorized work organisation, like the food industry and automobile industry, and in services characterised by strong merchant constrains, such as trade and cleaning services, for example. The frequency of "Job strain", with or without social isolation, was almost double in temporary workers.This study confirms that in a representative sample of workers, the exposure to occupational stress is not limited to managers and professionals, but concerns also a large number of employees and blue-collar workers of the public and private sectors. In general, the strongly qualified occupations are characterised by a high level of psychological demands, but individuals have large decision latitude to cope, which allows them to develop their capacities. The less qualified occupations are generally less confronted with a high level of mental demands than the managers and professionals. However, these individuals do not have enough decision latitude to cope with psychological demands which could lead to a high level of "Job strain", notably in the case of lack of social support from the supervisors and the colleagues.The study shows that the exposure to occupational stress is not limited to managers and professionals, but also concerns numerous employees and blue-collar workers. The determinants of work strain differ depending on occupations and this should be taken into consideration when implementing prevention programs for stress at work.

Measurement of Variables Involved in the Design of a Training Study: Practical Experience Undertaken in a Sports Organisation

o, n ◦ 2 Edificio Diamante, principal Oficina B, 50006 Zaragoza, Spain Abstract. This article describes the process for preparing a survey, which will be used to measure relevant variables, which are involved in a study of training needs in a Spanish sports organisation. The variables which have been considered are: problems and difficulties in carrying work of specific positions; "strong points" in carrying out this work; usefulness of the training received in facing and solving the above-mentioned problems and difficul- ties; usefulness of the training received in acquiring and strengthening these "strong points" in carrying out work; opinion and suggestions with respect to future training. Due to the applied nature of the study, a data collection methodology was designed which was based on interviews and group discussions with a representative sample of workers. Finally, the pre- dictive capacity of perception, which workers have, of their motivation at work was clearly shown in order to then identify different attitude and conduct patterns.

Werkdruk in Europa: omvang, ontwikkelingen en verklaringen

Work pressure in Europe: extent, trends and explanations Work pressure in Europe: extent, trends and explanations In order to (1) describe the extent of, and developments in high work pace within Europe, (2) position the Netherlands on work pace, and (3) identify causes of work pace in Europe, data from the European Working Conditions Survey are analysed that contain information on work and health from a representative sample of workers in EU member states in 1990, 1995 and 2000. The sample was about 1000-1500 workers per member state each year. About 60% works at a high pace for at least 50% of their working time (in 2000: EU = 59%, NL= 68%). This was much higher than in the early 90's. High work pace was explained by high physical job demands, job complexity and working with the computer. High work pace in men is explained by long working hours and tele-working as well, which is non-significant for women. High work pace in low income jobs is determined by high physical load, monotonous work and working non-standard hours.

Avaliação do almoço servido a participantes do programa de alimentação do trabalhador

In the light of the Workers' Food Program (WFP) growth and its recent review of nutritional parameters regulations, the study aimed at evaluating food intake in WFP through dietary assessment of lunch served in the program and workers' nutritional status. A cross-sectional study was carried out in a representative sample of workers in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil. A total of 1,044 subjects who had lunch at 52 food and nutrition units were evaluated. Social-economic and demographic data were collected as well as anthropometric measures for calculating the Body Mass Index. Food intake was assessed by dish weight and direct observation of dish composition. Of all subjects, 43% had excess weight, 33.7% were overweight and 9.3% were obese. Males were most affected. Median lunch energy intake was 515 kcal in women and 736 kcal in men. Median dietary fiber intake was 6.0 g among women and 8.3 g among men, and median cholesterol intake was over 90 mg among subjects with excess weight. The results indicate that the study population who is often seen as healthy is at nutritional risk. Workers in WFP should be targeted for health promotion strategies using especially nutritionists' skills as educators.

Ventilatory function and personal breathing zone dust concentrations in Lancashire textile weavers.

BACKGROUND: To report findings on ventilatory function and estimations of concentrations of personal breathing zone dust in Lancashire textile weavers. Weaving room dust is considered to be less harmful than...

Work-related skin disease in the plastics industry.

In a survey of a representative sample of workers taken at each of four different plastics manufacturers, 122 completed self-administered questionnaires were obtained. Twenty-six respondents (21.3%) met the case definition for having a work-related skin disorder during the preceding year. Sixteen (61.5%) cases indicated that their skin problems were present for 11 or more days, and 50% reported that their normal daily activities were at least somewhat affected. Risk of disease was elevated for workers who reported skin contact with formaldehyde (OR = 3.30; 95% CI = 1.02-10.69) or with polyvinyl-chlorides (PVCs) or their precursors (OR = 4.08; CI = 1.19-14.06), used barrier creams (OR = 4.51; CI = 1.22-16.68), were female (OR = 5.42; CI = 0.97-30.22), were 35 or younger (OR = 4.65; CI = 1.53-14.19), and for each use of hand cleaner at work (OR = 1.22; CI = 1.05-1.41). These findings should be considered when designing programs to reduce the incidence of skin disease among workers in the plastics industry.

Employer Sponsored Medical Benefits: The Influence of Occupational Characteristics and Gender

This research investigates gender differences in employer-sponsored medical fringe benefits: health insurance, dental insurance, sick leave, life insurance, and eye care coverage. Using data from a nationally representative sample of workers in the United States, human capital and structural theoretical approaches are drawn upon to explain the receipt of these benefits. The data suggest (a) men were more likely than women to receive each medical benefits from their employer; (b) occupational conditions largely account for the gender differences in coverage; (c) structural conditions of the occupation were more likely to predict the receipt of employer-sponsored medical benefits than were human capital attributes; (d) hazardous working conditions were not compensated for with medical benefits, with the exception of eye care coverage; and (e) gender did influence the relationship between several occupational conditions and benefit coverage.